Posted on by saravipond

FIN 200 Unit 2

VIDEO Project
PART 1: Two Written Project Concepts + One Storyboard


Concept 1
Proposal for Trailer Project: “Anticipation”

Concept/Approach/Intention


This trailer will serve as the opening scene for a snowboarding documentary exploring Mount Washington’s intense coastal storms and how quickly the weather can change. The trailer follows a snowboarder preparing her 1994 Mitsubishi Delica van for the winter season, showcasing the van as the main “character” in the story—a vehicle that, like a chameleon, needs some TLC to handle any weather and adapt to each season. Through the scenes, the trailer will reveal the dedication needed to maintain the van in the rainy fall and the excitement for the coming snow.

Formal Principles


This project will explore contrast, transformation, and a love affair with a van. By capturing both fall and winter conditions, the shots will emphasize the van’s adaptability and the seasonal shift on Vancouver Island, moving from the dark, rainy fall to the crisp brightness of winter. Close-up shots of details like raindrops, mud, and snow-covered surfaces will create a tactile sense of weather and time passing.

Length


Approximately 2-3 minutes, with at least 10 shots capturing fall and, if weather permits, winter conditions. If snow scenes cannot be filmed, the trailer will use fall footage and adjust the sequence through the season as necessary.

Shot 1: Medium Shot, Eye level angle
Shot 2: Walking outside to van, Medium Close up , foot shot, showing rain, mud, leaves, puddles and hesitancy
Shot 3. Master Shot, eye level, the subject gets into the van, ignites it, and turns on the lights and windshield wipers, removing leaf debris from windshield
Shot 4. (if lighting permits) Close up eye level shot capturing the driver through the windshield and moving towards the camera
Shot 5. Full shot, wide angle, from the same close up depth as shot 4 but from the back of the van and seeing it drive away (include transition from shot 4 to 5)
Shot 6. full shot, wide angle,, the van pulls up to a location where it will receive welding
Shot 7. Low angle close up, the subject flops into bed to rest from all the hard work. (I could add days lapsing here or flip to shot 8 time-lapse of hands spinning)
Shot 8. Extreme close up shot of the clock timer going off! excitement, sun rise colours in the back ground, hand turning it off firmly in anticipation of what is to come
Shot 8. Medium shot, low angle or overhead (depending on lighting availability), subject prepares the snowboard by waxing and tuning
Shot 9. Eye level medium shot, subject loads gear into the back of the van. camera perspective is looking from the front seat out the back as the subject opens the trunk door, loads up, and closes the door.
Shot 10. Same angle as shot 9, but now from the back of the van facing out the front window as the subject gets in, ignites the van, and drives away. This angle could also capture a time lapse up to the mountain.
Shot 11. Final scene? Full wide angle shot of van pulling up, same height as shot 6, subject pulls up, gets out, geared up, and walks away to go snowboarding

Concept 2
Proposal for Trailer Project: “Delica-dence“

A Van, a Mountain, and Questionable Life Choices

Concept/Intention

“Delica-dence” is a comedic trailer about a snowboarder and her temperamental 1994 Mitsubishi Delica van as they navigate the unpredictable weather of Mount Washington. With dark humor and sarcasm, the trailer follows the snowboarder’s attempt to prepare her van for the winter season, only to discover that everything that can go wrong will go wrong. From rainstorms that flood the interior to mechanical failures that make you question all of your life choices, this trailer will highlight the absurdity and hilarity of living out of an unreliable van in the rugged coastal weather.

Tone and Approach

The trailer will blend irony, slapstick humor, and exaggerated action shots to capture the true essence of “van life”—not the romanticized Instagram version, but the real, gritty experience of dealing with an old van that’s equal parts companion and burden. Through shots of the Delica’s failed attempts to conquer the mountain, paired with a deadpan voiceover and sarcastic commentary, the trailer will set the stage for a mini-documentary that showcases the struggles, triumphs, and laughable moments that come with embracing the absurdity of coastal life and old vehicles. Wes Anderson’s style of framing would be fun to use throughout this project.

Formal Principles

The trailer will adopt a Wes Anderson-inspired style with symmetrical compositions and meticulous framing, but with a moody, subdued colour palette. The rainy fall scenes will feature muted tones, creating a miserable atmosphere, with occasional pops of colour (like the van’s details or protagonist’s mismatched slippers) to add whimsy and draw attention to key moments. Exaggerated, precise movements and a dry, witty voiceover will add humour, while the contrast between the dreary fall and the crisp, snowy winter will emphasize the unpredictable weather. The pacing will remain rhythmic, allowing the absurdity of the situation to unfold in a controlled, quirky way.

Length

Approx. 1:30 – 2:00 minutes, with 10-12 shots. Trailer will have a quick pace but also moments of comedic pause, especially during the mechanical issues with the van. The opening and closing shots will have pauses for effect, with a few brief sarcastic voiceovers.

Scene Breakdown for “Delica-dence” Trailer (Rough Notes):

  1. Opening Shot – Wake-Up Call
    • Overhead shot of water drop hits face, wakes me up.
    • Slow-mo water drop on face, then I groggily react.
  2. Scene 2 – Van Morning
    • Close-up from front of van looking through to back.
    • I hop out, different slippers on each foot, messy hair. Look ridiculous, walk away.
  3. Scene 3 – Rainy Routine
    • Close-up brushing teeth in rain with jacket hood on.
    • Look all disheveled, rain pouring, trying to be normal but failing.
    • duct tapes a patch onto the roof where there hole was
    • shot from window through the van of me clumsily climbing down
  4. Scene 4 – Van Backfire
    • van backfires loudly, then cut to me looking annoyed.
    • Low angle, van exhaust pipe popping smoke, engine sounds awful, then me frustrated.
  5. Scene 5 – Pushing the Delica
    • Pushing the van in and out of frame, struggling.
    • Wide shot of me trying to push it uphill? slow and funny.
  6. Scene 6 – Slow Uphill
    • Close-up of Delica barely making it uphill, engine sputtering.
    • Side shot, Delica sounds like it’s dying but still trying.
  7. Scene 7 – Off We Go
    • Wide shot of Delica driving off, slow but going.
    • Rain still pouring, van chugging uphill, sarcastic voiceover like “Here we go…”
  8. Closing Shot – Real Van Life
    • Van parked at base of mountain, fog rolling in.
    • Low angle of van, snow in distance, then me standing proud but defeated, tagline like “van life.”

Additional Notes

Honestly, I’ve been thinking about this documentary for a while, and I’d love to create an 8-10 minute version for submission to local film festivals. However, with the unpredictable weather and limited lighting, I’m not sure how much will be possible if I start filming. Concept 1 might be a good backup option for a shorter trailer sequence that can still tell the story, but without the need for as much attention to detail, foley, or sound effects.

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